Core and coil assembly mounting frame



Sept. 8, 1959 s. M. GOFFSTEIN 2,903,661

CORE AND con ASSEMBLY MOUNTING FRAME Filed Dec. 18, 1956 INVENTOR r' 1 2,903,661 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 CORE AND COIL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING FRAME Solen M. Golfstein, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Standard Electrical Products Company, a corporation of Ohro Application December 18, 1956, Serial No. 629,062

4 Claims. (Cl. 336-65) This invention relates to a mounting frame having mounting tabs or feet and a method of producing the mounting tabs or feet. This invention relates more particularly to an electrical apparatus provided with a mounting frame. The invention relates more particularly to an electrical apparatus which is mounted on a panel or control board or the like. The invention relates still moreparticularly to a transformer, choke, coil, reactor, or any electrical device provided with a frame member adapted to be mounted on a panel or board or the like. However, the invention is not so limited in that the structure and method disclosed herein may be applied to numerous types of devices and apparatus.

In the art of transformers, chokes, reactors, coils, and the like, a mounting frame member comprising channel members is usually provided for attaching the apparatus to a panel or board or the like. The frame member customarily is provided with a pair of parallel channel shaped legs and a channel shaped cross member normal to the legs and attaching the legs one to the other at one end thereof. It is customary to have mounting feet or tabs extending from the ends of the legs opposite the cross member. These mounting feet or tabs may extend in alignment with the legs or may be formed at right angles to the legs for mounting of the frame upon a panel, board, or the like.

The core usually has a rectangular configuration with a central portion of the core extending through the coil. The frame member partially encompasses the core as the core is disposed within the frame. The frame member is of such size that the core slidably moves into the channel members forming the frame and fits somewhat snugly therein.

In some installations it is desirable to mount the core so thatthe longitudinal axis thereof is vertical when the panel'upon which the core is mounted is horizontal. In such installations the central axis of the coil usually extends horizontal and the connector leads extending from the coil are disposed substantially horizontal. In other installations it is desired to mount the core so that the longitudinal axis thereof is parallel to the board or panel upon which the core is mounted.

It has therefore been customary to provide two types of mounting frames. One type of mounting frame has the leg portions thereof shorter than the cross member which attaches the two legs one to the other. This type of mounting frame retains the core and coil assembly for mounting with the longitudinal axis of the core horizontal when the panel upon which the assembly is mounted is horizontal and is referred to in the trade as a horizontal mounting frame. The other type of mounting frame has the two legs thereof longer than the cross member which attaches the two legs one to the other. This type of frame retains the core and coil assembly for mounting with the longitudinal axis of the core vertical and is referred to in the trade as a vertical frame.

Thus, when it has been desired to provide a core and coil for vertical mounting, a vertical frame has been selected into which the core is disposed. Likewise, when it has been desired to provide a core and coil for horizontal mounting, a horizontal frame has been selected into which the core is disposed. The core is then secured within the frame by any suitable means, such as by integral prongs at the ends of the legs which prongs may be bent over the core to retain the core within the frame.

It has been found that a horizontal type of mounting frame is highly preferable over a vertical type of mounting frame. When a core having butted portions is disposed within a vertical type of mounting frame, several keepers or retainers must be employed between the core and the frame in order to properly retain portions of the core within the frame. Such keeper members or retainers reduce the amount of space available for the core material and thus such keepers or retainers are objectionable. Thus, the horizontal type of frame member provides an apparatus with better electrical design and is preferable over the vertical type of mounting frame member.

In a horizontal type of channel, pressure of the bentover prongs against the core firmly clamps portions of the core in their proper relative positions within the frame. Thus, the pressure of the prongs maintains the desired air gap between portions of the core. In the vertical type of channel, the pressure of the bent-over prongs does not directly assist in maintaining a proper air gap between portions of the core.

Furthermore, in the assembly of a core in a conventional type of frame member, the legs of the frame may be somewhat distorted, thus changing the spacing between mounting feet or tabs. This is objectionable due to the fact that accurate mounting dimensions must be maintained in order that the frame members may be mounted upon a pre-selected mounting panel.

It may be desirable in regard to production time and costs to be able to eliminate the necessity of providing more than one type of mounting frame.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a mounting frame member which has the desirable characteristics of a horizontal frame member and which may be used for either vertical or horizontal mounting.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of producing a horizontal type of frame member so that the frame member may be used for vertical mounting.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of producing a horizontal type of mounting frame member for use as a vertical mounting frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for mounting a frame by which mounting dimensions are accurately maintained regardless of any distortion of the frame which may occur.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for mounting a core and coil frame member in any desired manner of orientation and with the core axis in any desired angular position with respect to a mounting panel to which the frame member is attached.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for attaching a mounting frame to a panel in spaced relation therefrom so that other components and/ or conductors may be disposed between the panel and the mounting frame.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a horizontal type of mounting frame member of this invention which may be used for vertical mounting as well as horizontal mounting. A core and coil assembly is shown within the frame member.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, taken from another angle, showing the core and coil assembly of Figure 1 with the mounting frame member adapted for vertical mounting.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a core and coil assembly with a preferred modification of a mounting frame of this invention, the mounting strip thereof being parallel to the frame.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a mounting frame assembly of the type shown in Figure 3 with the mounting strip thereof disposed at an angle with respect to the frame.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Figure 1 shows a core and coil assembly including a coil 11 and a core 14. The coil 11 has connection leads 15. Encompassing a portion of the core 14 is a frame 16. The frame 16 has channel shaped legs 18 and 20 with a channel shaped cross member 22 joining the legs 18 and 20 at one end thereof. The core 14 is retained within the frame 16 by any suitable means such as by bent-over prongs 26, integral with the frame 16. Extending from the leg 18 is a mounting foot or tab 28. Extending from the leg 20 is a mounting foot or tab 38.

The mounting feet or tabs 28 and 30 may be bent normal to the legs 18 and 28, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, for horizontal mounting of the frame 16 upon a panel or board.

In order that the mounting frame 16 may serve to mount the assembly shown in Figure 1 in a vertical position as well as horizontal, a portion 34 of the cross member 22- adjacent the leg 28 is partially severed. The portion 34 has an aperture 36 provided therein by any suitable means. The portion 34 remains integrally attached to the leg 28. Thus the portion 34 of the cross member 22 may be bent outwardly to extend in alignment with the leg 20 to form a mounting foot 34 cooperable with the foot 311 for vertical mounting of the frame 16.

Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the mounting frame 16 is attachable for vertical mounting of the core 14 and the coil 10. In the vertical mounting of the assembly, as shown in Figure 2, the mounting feet 30 and 34 are attached to a panel or board by means of screws or the like which are inserted through the apertures in the mounting feet 38 and 34.

It is to be understood that in forming a mounting foot or tab to cooperate with the mounting tab 38 for vertical disposition of the frame 16, a portion of the leg 20, rather than the cross member 22, may be partially severed and bent outwardly to form a mounting tab.

Figure 3 shows a preferred modification in the provision of mounting tabs upon a horizontal type of mounting frame 413 which has a coil 42 and a core 44. Attached to a leg 45 of the frame 40 axially therewith is an elongate mounting strip or plate 48. The frame 40 also has a cross member 5 joining the leg 45 of the frame 48 to a leg 52 of the frame 48. In the provision of mounting tabs for attachment of the frame 40 to a panel, the ends of the strip or plate 48 are provided with apertures 56 through which suitable screws or the like may be inserted for attachment of the strip 48 to a mounting panel. Thus, the horizontal type of frame member 40 may be vertically attached to a panel or board.

Figures 4 and 5 show the modification of the type of mounting means disclosed by Figure 3. However, in Figures 4 and 5 a mounting strip 80, similar to the mounting strip 48 is attached to a leg 82 of a frame 84 in angular relation thereto. Adjacent each end of the mounting strip is an aperture 88 through which screws or bolts or the like may be inserted to secure the frame 84 to a panel. Retained by the frame 84 are a core 87 and a coil 89.

The structure of this invention as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 provides means by which a mounting frame may be attached to a mounting panel in any desired orientation. Furthermore, the mounting strips or plates, such as the strips or plates 48 and 80, may be of any suitable dimension so that mounting holes may be provided in a mounting panel of any desired size and in any desired spaced relationship regardless of the dimensions of the mounting frame.

Furthermore, in regard to the invention as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, mounting dimensions may be accurately maintained regardless of any distortion which may occur in the mounting frame.

It is to be understood that the mounting strip or plate such as the strips or plates 48 and 80, shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 may be attached in any angular manner to the frame members. Furthermore, the strips or plates may be attached to either the legs or the cross member of the mounting frame so that the axis of the core may extend in any desired angular relationship with respect to a mounting panel.

Thus, it is understood that the method of this invention provides means by which a horizontal type of frame member may be usedin the vertical mounting of an electrical apparatus. Thus, all of the desirable features of a horizontal type of frame member are obtained in a vertical type of mounting. Furthermore, if desired, the same frame member may be used for either a vertical type of mounting or a horizontal type of mounting, thus elimihating the necessity of providing both a horizontal and a vertical type of frame member.

Furthermore, this invention provides a mounting frame which may be disposed in any angular position or in any desired orientation with respect to a supporting panel. This invention also provides a mounting frame which may be mounted in any desired spaced relationship from a supporting panel.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Support structure comprising a mounting frame, a core and coil assembly carried and surrounded by the frame, the frame being adapted for vertical mounting upon a panel as well as horizontal mounting thereupon, the frame having a pair of legs, a cross member attaching the legs one to the other at one end thereof, the cross member being longer than either of the legs, the coil having an axis parallel to the legs, a mounting tab extending from at least one of the legs at the end thereof opposite the cross member, a mounting tab extending from said one of the legs from a position adjacent the cross member, the mounting frame thus being attachable to a panel with the axis of the coil parallel to the panel.

2, Support structure according to claim 1 in 'which the last said mounting tab is a cut and bent out portion of the leg from which it extends.

3. Support structure according to claim 1 in which the last said mounting tab is a cut and bent out portion of the cross member.

4. Support structure comprising a mounting frame, a core and coil assembly carried and surrounded by the frame, the frame being adapted for vertical mounting upon a panel as well as horizontal mounting thereupon, the frame having a pair of legs, a cross member attaching the legs one to the other at one end thereof, the cross member being longer than either of the legs, the coil having an axis parallel to the legs, an elongate strip References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,885 Caine Oct. 19, 1915 1,524,591 Starr Jan. 27, 1925 2,494,350 Mittermaier Jan. 10, 1950 2,627,385 Tinnerman Feb. 3, 1953 2,703,662 Mayer Mar. 8, 1955 

